A political outsider backed by former US president Donald Trump has won the Colombian presidential election in a decisive first-round victory, upending the established order in one of Latin America’s most stable democracies.
Rodrigo Hernández, a 52-year-old businessman and political novice, secured 54 per cent of the vote on Sunday, defeating former Bogotá mayor Carlos Moreno of the centre-right Conservative Party and leftist senator Isabel Guerrero. The result caps a campaign that drew heavily on anti-corruption sentiment and promises to overhaul the political establishment.
Hernández’s victory marks a significant shift for Colombia, a traditional US ally that has followed a broadly centrist path for decades. His platform includes a hard line on crime and drug trafficking, tax cuts, and a reorientation of foreign policy toward closer ties with Washington under a Trump-aligned administration.
In his victory speech, Hernández struck a populist tone. “Today the Colombian people have spoken. They are tired of the same families, the same parties, the same corruption,” he said. “We will drain the swamp in Bogotá.”
The election was closely watched by international analysts as a test of Trump’s continued influence in the region. Trump publicly endorsed Hernández in a series of social media posts, calling him “a strong leader who will make Colombia safe again.” Hernández also received support from several of Trump’s former advisers.
The result was met with alarm in some quarters. The European Union expressed concern over Hernández’s campaign rhetoric and his dismissal of climate change as a “leftist hoax.” Human Rights Watch warned that his proposed security policies could undermine peace accords with former FARC rebels.
But for many Colombians, the election was a referendum on the political elite. Moreno, the conservative candidate, conceded defeat and called for unity. Guerrero, the leftist contender, said Hernández’s victory “represents a dangerous step backwards for social justice.”
The transition of power is expected to proceed smoothly despite Hernández’s lack of political experience. He will take office on August 7 for a four-year term. His immediate challenges include navigating a fractious Congress, where his movement holds only a minority of seats, and managing relations with neighbouring Venezuela, where he has vowed to take a tougher stance against the Maduro regime.
Analysts say Hernández’s victory could reshape Colombia’s role in the region. “This is a clear signal that the centre cannot hold,” said Dr. Maria Sánchez, a political scientist at the University of the Andes. “Hernández represents a new breed of leader: anti-establishment, nationalist, and willing to challenge the old rules. Whether that brings stability or chaos remains to be seen.”
Hernández’s election is the latest in a series of populist victories across the Americas, following the rise of Javier Milei in Argentina and the re-election of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil. It also underscores the enduring appeal of Trump-style politics beyond US borders.
